Lighting-fixture support



Dec. 16, 1930. 1. WOLARSKY LIGHTING FIXTURE SUPPORT Filed Oct. 25, 1926 INVENTOR v /5l'd0re l t alarf/ffy IN W I ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 16, 1930 ISIDOR-E W'QLARSKY, 0F MOUNT VERNQN, I i YORK LIGHTING-FIXTURE SUPPORT Application filed Gotolier 25, 1926.

The present invention relates to lighting fixture supports and is more particularly directed to devices for supporting wall brackets from electrical outlet fittings such as out 1 let boxes and stud boxes which are customthe conditions which arise, and the particular fitting which happens to be at hand when the electrician is placing the house wiring. hen a fixture hanger undertakes to hang fixtures he may find any of these forms of outlets.

In the manufacture of wall brackets various forms of mountings are standard. Some brackets are provided with a narrow metal strap across the back of the bracket which is to be supported on what is known as a French hook carried by the outlet box, while other brackets are provided with a hole to receive a supporting stud. This stud is generally provided with 1/8 pipe threads. These forms of mountings are the more common. A bracket may have one or the other form but never, unless specially made, are both forms present. Still other forms of brackets are intended to be supported by a small screw such as a 102t screw which has a number 4 running thread.

It will thus be apparent that when the fixtures are to be installed, various conditions may arise. Any or all of the three types of fixtures above referred to may be sent out to be installed in a building which may be provided with any one or all three kinds of outlet fittings above referred to.

The present invention contemplates the provision of supporting straps and devices by means of which one may mount fixtures of Serial No. 143,210.

any of the standard types referred to on outlet fittings of any of the standard types. By providing such fixture supports, the electrician installing the fixtures is able to meet any condition which may arise and the fixtures may be installed without obtaining special parts.

The present invention also contemplates fixture supporting straps for the above purpose which are so arranged that the center of the fixture may be directly in line with the'center of the outlet fitting. Mounting the fixtures over the center oi these outlet fittings makes it possible to satisfactorily mount small bracket backs over the large fittings such as switch boxes.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

The accompanying drawings show, for purposes of illustration, several of the many possible embodiments in which the present invention may take form, together with a number of the ways in which the fixture supporting devices maybe mounted on the standard outlet fittings.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a switch box, illustrating the use of the fixture supporting strap thereon;

Figure 2 is a similar view, illustrating the use of a fixture strap on an outlet box;

Figure 3is a perspective view of a stud box, showing the use of a short strap threaded directly thereon;

Figure 4 is a perspective view 01" one form of lighting fixture support suitable for supporting any of the types oi lighting fixtures as above referred to from any of the types or" fittings shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a modified form of supporting strap for the same purpose;

Figure 6 shows a further modified form of construction Figures 7a and 7 b are perspective views of the two partsof a. modified form or" fixture support; and

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through the fixture support shown in Figures 7a and 7?), showing the same mounted on a switch box;

The ordinary switch box as show, in Figure 1 is provided with outwardly bent cars 10 and 11, threaded to receive attaching screws 12 and 13. Outlet boxes, such .s shown in Figure 2, are provided with in.- wardly bent cars 14 and 15 threaded to re ceive supporting screws 16 and 17. Different sized outlet boxes will have these screws separated at different distances. The stand-- ard stud box, such as is shown in Figure 3, is generally provided with a threaded stud 19, the standard size being provided with pipe threads.

Several forms of fixture supports are shown in the drawings. All are designed to be used with any or all of these different outlet fittings. Each form has advantages peculiar to itself over the other forms.

The form of fixture support shown in Figure 1, has a long straight strap 20 somewhat longer than the switch box. This strap is provided with elongated slots 21 and 22 (preferably open at their ends) through which the attaching screws 12, 13, 16, or 17 are adapted to pass. The long strap is also provided with a laterally extending tubular boss 23 internally threaded as indicated. The preferable size of threading for the extension on the strap is pipe thread seas to receive the stud commonly used in certain types of fixtures as above referred to. The long strap is also provided with a hole or slot 2 1 and a threaded hole 25 placed on opposite sides of the extension. A shorter strap 26 may be mounted on the longer strap in any convenient manner. [is here shown, it is provided with a. hook shaped extension 27 which passes through the hole in the short strao and a screw 28 is threaded into the hole 25 of the longer strap. This shorter strap is, as shown in Figures 1 and 4-, provided with a laterally drawn tubular e3:- tension or boss 28 internally threaded as indicated. This threading is preferably a pipe thread. This short strap is also, as shown in Figures 1 and 4-, provided with a forwardly bent upwardly extending fixture supporting hook 29.

According to the modified form of invention illustrated in. Figure 5, the longer strap 30 is provided with elongated slots 31 9 similar to slots 21 and 22. This sti..p is preferably made wider in the center in dicated at 33 and is provided with a large threaded extension or boss, indicated by the dotted lines 3 1, these threads being preferably pipe threads. A short strap 35, similar to the short strap 26 shown in Figure 4, is fastened on the same way, but is provided with a small-diameter internally threaded extension 36. These threads are preferably the pipe threads.

According to the modified form of invention illustrated in Figure 6, a long strap L0 is provided. This strap may be somewhat wider than the straps 20 or 30. T he strap =10 provided with holes 11 and 12 which are spaced the same as the sc ews 1 1- and 16 of the outlet be}; of Figure It is also provided with an elongated slot 4.3. Sr portion of the material of he strap is bent orward as indicated at $14. to prorioe a hook similar to the hooks 29 and 37 of F igures 4; and 5 respectively. The strap 4-0 is a so rovided with a rearwardly directed drawn tubular extension 4-5 provided with internal threads, preferably pipe threads. A. short strap 46 is fastened on the longer strap by means of screws 47 and This short strap is provided with an internally threaded tubular extension 19, preferably having A pipe threads.

The form. of fixture support shown in Figures 7a, 7b and 8 includes a long strap 50 and a short strap 51. The long strap has long open ended slots 53 and 5-1 which extend n arly to the drawn internally threaded boss 55. The shorter strap 51 has a downwardly offset hook 56 provided with a narrow neck, as indicated at 5 so that the trap may be placed on the longer strap by pas one neck 5? along one of the slots or 5-1, or by insertii'ig the hook 556 through the slot and turning the short strap. tapped hole 58, preferably having #1024: threads is provided in the short strap for a clamping screw The short strap also has the larger threaded boss 60 for the ig" pipe threads and a hook 61 for the fixture strap.

When the fixture support of the type shown in Figures 7a and 7?) is used on a switch box as indicated in Figure 8 the supporting screws 12 and 13 are passed through the slots and 5%. The strap may be moved up or down to an extent determinec by the lengthof the slots. It will be noted that the strap is narrow and that it will not interfere, to any great extent, with the wiring and splicing inside the box. \Vhere the fixture to be supported has a cross strap, such as indicated by dotted lines 62 in Figure 8, the fixture support is mounted as there indicated. Thefixture may be hung by passing the cross strap 62 down behind the. upwardly extending strap 61. The strap 51 may be moved up or down along the slots 53 and 5 1- and clamped in position, thereby compensating for irregz'n ar placing of the box. if the sci w 1:2 nto feres with the passage of the llfitll'e strap 62 behind the hook, the hook may either be bent forward or the screw 58 loosened, as indicated by the dotted fragment of the hook 61, shown in Figure 8. If the fixture happens to be provided with a stud connection, such connection can be threaded into the large-diameter threaded hole 60, while if it is provided. with a small-d ameter stud connection such connection will be threaded into the small diameter threaded stud connection 5-5. 1

In the latter case, the short strap, however, need not be discarded as useless. It is well suited for supporting French hook t pe fixtures from stud boxes as it can be threaded directly onto the stud 19 as indicated by dot and dash lines of Figure 3.

The fixture supports of the type shown in Figures 4, 5, 7a or 7?) may be used on the outlet box of Figure 2 as there indicated in dotted lines. This use is substantially the same as the use shown in Figures 1 and 8. The width of the longer straps is preferably such that they will rest in the notches 71 provided in the walls of the outlet boxes when the ears 14 and 15 are bent inwardly.- The form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 may be attached to the switch box or outlet box in the same manner as shown in Fig. 7. In this case, however, both straps will be used when one desires to support a fixture provided with the stud.

he form of construction shown in Figure 6 is attached in the switch box by passing one of the switch box screws through a hole 41 and the other through the slot 43. It will be attached on the small outlet box by passing through the holes 41 and 42 and on the long outlet boxes in the same manner as in switch outlet boxes. Fixtures provided with the cross strap 62 will be mounted by sliding the cross strap in behind the book 44 while fixtures provided with the stud will be mounted by threading the stud into the tubular extension 45.

The straps 30, 40 or 60 maybe directly mounted on stud boxes of the type shown in Figure 3 by threading them onto the stud 19. They may be threaded onto studs where they are provided inside the outlet boxes.

: The fixture may be supported from'tho French hook or small stud in an obvious manner.

It will be noted that in all cases the large and small diameter threaded openings are placed inthe center strap and in line with one another. It will thus be obvious that in all cases the fixture may be mounted directly over the center of the switch box, outlet box, or stud box as the case may be. At no time will it be necessary to mount the fixture 0E center. If desired, the fixture may be raised or lowered somewhat by sliding the supporting straps along the screws carried by the switch boxesor outlet boxes or the short strap along the long strap where the "form shown in Figuresl'a and 7b is used.

As above indicated some fixtures are intended to be mounted with very small screws, usually screws having a #4 thread. To take care of this situation, the screws 28, 48, 47 and 58 are preferably of this size, so that one can pass the fixture supporting screws direct-1y into the holes provided for these screws.

The forms of strap herein shown and described in detail, are such that any of the commercial forms of wall brackets may be mounted on any of the ordinary forms of electrical fittings met with in building con struction. These supports equip the fixture hanger for any situation that may arise According to the preferred forms of constructions, a two-part construction is provided in which each of the two parts is separately useful under certain conditions and therefore it is unnecessary to discard either part. Each of these parts may be made by stamping and furthermore these embodiments of the invention may be very readily assembled, as they require but one screw.

It is obvious that the invention may be embodied in many forms and constructions, and I wish it to be understood that the particular forms shown are but a few of the many forms. Various modifications and changes being possible, I do not limit myself in any way with respect thereto.

What is claimed is: Y

1. A device for supporting lighting fixtures from electrical outlet fittings, said device comprising a strap having screw receiving openings to support the strap on outlet boxes of various sizes and styles, a laterally drawn tubular extension internally threaded and adapted to receive a threaded stud, a second strap removably carried by the first strap, and a tubular member extending laterally outwardly and connected to said second strap, said member having a larger diameter'than the said extension.

2. A device for supporting lighting fixtures from electrical outlet fittings, said device comprising a strap having screw receiving openings to support the strap on outlet boxes of var ous sizes and styles, a laterally drawn tubular extension internally threaded and adapted to receive a threaded stud, a second strap removably carried by the first strap, and a laterally drawn tubular extension integrally connected with said second strap, said lastnamedextension, being internally threaded and of a dilierent diameter than the first extension for receiving a different size stud, the axes of said extensions being disposed in the same plane.

3. A device for supporting lighting fixtures from electrical outlet fittings, said de vice comprising a strap having screw receiving'openin s to support the strap on outlet boxes of various sizes and styles, a laterally drawn tubular extension internally threaded and adapted to receive a-threaded stud, and a second strap removably carried by the first strap and having a laterally drawn tubular extension internally threaded of a ditlerent diameter than the first extension for receiva different size stud, one of said straps being provided with anoflset hook to receive the cross strap carried on the back of a lighting fixture.

4. In a device for supporting lighting fi:-:-

tures from electrical outlet fittings, a short strap having a drawn extension provided with a threaded hole to fit the threaded stud on a stud outlet box and an offset hook to receive the cross strap carried on the back of a lighting fixture, a longer strap having holes near the ends to permit mounting it on outlet boxes, and means for attaching the two straps together.

5. In a device for supporting lighting 1;- tures from electrical outlet fittings, a short strap having a drawn extension provided with a threaded hole to fit the threaded stud on a stud outlet box and an offset hook to receive the cross strap carried on the back of a lighting fixture, a longer strap having holes near the ends to permit mounting it on outlet boxes, and a drawn extension provided with a threaded hole of different diameter than the first threaded hole for supporting fixture studs, and means for attaching the two straps together.

6. In a device for supporting lighting fixtures from electrical outlet fittings, a short strap having a drawn extension provided with a threaded hole to fit the threaded stud on a stud outlet'box and an offset hook to receive the cross strap carried on the back of a. lighting fixture, a longer strap having holes near the ends to permit mounting it on outlet boxes, and a drawn extension provided with a threaded hole ofdifi'erent diameter than the first threaded hole for supporting fixture studs, the longer strap having a hole therein through which passes a curved extension on the shorter strap, and a screw for fastening the straps together.

7. A device for supporting lighting fixtures from standard electrical outlet fittings comprising two separable metal straps, one longer than the other, the longer strap having screw receiving holes to attach it to switch boxes and outlet boxes, both straps having coaxially arranged internally threaded drawn extensions, one extension having 7 pipe threads and the other pipe threads, one of said straps having an offset hook to receive the cross strap on the back of a lighting fixture.

8. A device for supporting lighting fixtures from standard electrical outlet fittings comprising two separable metal straps, one longer than the other, the longer strap having screw receiving holes to attach it to switch boxes and outlet boxes, both straps having coaxially arranged internally threaded drawn extensions, one extension having pipe threads and the other pipe threads, the shorter strap having the threads and being further provided with an offset hook to receive the cross strap on the back of a lighting fixture.

9. A fixture supporting device in the form of two strapsof different lengths removably connected together, each of said straps being provided with a drawn extension having a threaded hole, the shorter strap being slidably mounted in the longer strap, one of the straps having a hook adapted to receive the cross straps on the back of a lighting fixture.

10. A fixture supporting device comprising two straps, one longer than the other, the longer strap having a centrally disposed lat-- erally extending internally threaded drawn tubular boss or extension, and longitudinal slots, the shorter strap being mounted on the longer strap by devices passing through the slots, the shorter strap having a boss similar to the boss on the longer strap provided with difi'erent sized threads and an offset hook.

11. A fixture supporting device comprising two straps each having short laterally extending internally threaded tubular bosses, the straps being of different lengths, the longer strap having slots to facilitate adjustably mounting it on switch boxes, and means for mounting the shorter strap on the longer strap, said means permitting adjustment of the shorter strap along the longer strap, one of said straps having a hook to receive the cross strap on the back of a. wall bracket.

12. A lighting fixture supporting device in the form of two straps one strap being longer than the other and having screw receiving slots to permit mounting it on outlet boxes of various types and sizes, and a laterally drawn tubular extension threaded to receive fixture studs of a predetermined size, the shorter strap being adjustably mounted on the longer strap and having an offset fixture supporting hook and a laterally drawn tubular extension threaded to receive studs of larger diameter.

13. In combination, a fixture supporting strap capable of being mounted on an outlet box and having a stud receiving threaded extension to support a stud type fixture, a second strap having a threaded extension to fit a stud outlet box and an offset hook adapted to support a fixture having a strap extending across the back thereof for receiving such hook, and means to fasten the two straps together so that either form of fixture may be supported from either form of outlet fitting.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 21st day of October, 1926.

ISIDORE \VOLARSKY. 

